Retail sales fell sharply last month – even worse than expected – as official figures show that wet weather once again put shoppers off.

The quantity of goods and services bought by households dropped 2.3% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Only a 0.4% fall was predicted by economists polled by news agency Reuters.

Money blog: What now for mortgages after inflation and election announcements?

Retail sales figures are significant as household consumption, measured by the data, is the largest expenditure across the UK economy.

It can play into overall economic growth, measured through gross domestic product (GDP) – a metric that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be watching.

Growing the economy was one of the five key pledges he made in January 2023.

Superdry plots emergency sale process if creditors block rescue plan

Temu faces legal challenge over ‘manipulative practices’

Motors.co.uk among suitors raiding stricken Cazoo’s garage sale

Revised data published on Friday morning also showed March sales figures actually came down 0.2% rather than stagnating, as was first announced.

The weather effect

Sales volumes fell across most sectors.

The biggest effect was felt in clothes shops, sports equipment, games and toys stores, and furniture shops doing badly as poor weather reduced the number of people out and about.

Rainfall was far higher than normal – 155% of average – while there was just 79% of average sunshine hours.

A greater proportion of sales happened online, though the volume of orders declined.

Wet weather was behind retail sales flatlining in February.

Consumer confidence

Other data released on Friday morning showed people were feeling better about their finances and the UK economy.

Market research firm GfK’s consumer confidence index rose five points for personal finances and four points for the larger UK economy.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The overall index score was still in minus territory at -17, though it was an improvement of two points from the month before.

Related posts:

Top trainer Gordon Elliott suspended for six months over picture of him sitting on dead horse ‘Wales could win it’: Excitement builds in Gareth Bale’s hometown ahead of Denmark knockout clash Michael Vaughan dropped from BBC’s Ashes cricket coverage following Yorkshire racism claims Prized stamp collection worth £5,000 snatched from pensioner in alley Ryan Giggs’s ex-girlfriend denies bruising was caused by ‘rough sex’ – and tells trial she was a ‘slave’ to his demands Man detained by police after he ‘ran up to Queen’s coffin’ in Westminster Hall Ice weather warnings in place for parts of Britain as ‘unsettled’ week to come ‘Potentially key’ witness being sought by police over dog walker disappearance Teenager killed in crash named – with girl, 3, among four others injured British Airways website and app down – customers unable to check in and book flights Renewed safety fears over Grand National – but organisers insist changes have been made ‘I don’t know what I will do and that’s exactly what I want’- Jurgen Klopp on cooking, life after Anfield and the title race